Art and design

1. ELEMENT OF DESIGN
Art Department
Grade: 8
Mr. Palmer

2.  A valuable element in the artist’s codebook is texture
because it engages another sense besides sight. Texture
is “tactile,” that is, it appeals to our sense of touch.
Artists know this element can appeal to viewers and
may try to recreate the illusion of texture, or add real
texture to stimulate our tactile nature.

3.  Texture is a powerful art element because it can
quickly evoke memories and emotions. Start becoming
more aware of textures all around you—the carpet, in
the clothes you’re wearing, and the fur on your cat.
Finally, look carefully to see how Vincent van Gogh
created unique texture in his painting of sunflowers

4. Definition of Texture
I. Texture, is described as the way a three-dimensional
work actually feels when touched, or the visual "feel"
of a two-dimensional work
II. Texture is the surface quality of an object. A rock
may be rough and jagged. A piece of silk may be soft
and smooth and your desk may feel hard and smooth.

5. Adjectives used to Describe Texture
Adjectives that describe soft textures
 Examples of adjectives that can be used to describe
textures that are soft to the touch are cottony, downy,
fuzzy, feathery, fluffy, furry, hairy, puffy, silky, soft,
woollen and velvety.
Adjectives that describe hard textures
 Examples of adjectives that can be used to describe
textures that are hard to the touch are bony, hard,
wooden, metallic, glassy, rigid, smooth, steely, stiff,
tough and unyielding.

6. Adjectives that describe resilient textures
 Examples of adjectives that can be used to describe
textures that are resilient to the touch are bloated,
flabby, flexible, rubbery, resilient, spongy, squashy,
squishy and yielding.
Adjectives that describe mixed textures
 Examples of adjectives that can be used to describe
textures that are mixed to the touch are abrasive,
bumpy, coarse, grainy, grooved, gritty, jagged, lumpy,
pitted, pockmarked, ragged, rough, rugged, scratchy,
stubbly, uneven and wavy.

7. Categories of
Texture

8. Actual Texture
 The application of textured objects to the surface of an
artwork, or the creation of art from textured materials
 Texture can be created by carving, incising or
scratching into a surface
 The creation of visible texture in an artwork from the
application of found or manipulated textured materials.
For example, the application of rows of shells to a
headdress to create the illusion of hair texture.

10. Visual /Simulated Texture
 Visual texture so realistic that it fools the eye into
believing it is reality.
 The visual sensation of texture on a non-textured
surface. Simulated textures are created by the
manipulation of lights and shadows, line, rhythm and
other visual elements.
 Simulated texture can be achieved using a variety of
media such as pencil, pen, paint, photography and
computer generated imagery

12. Invented Textures
 Invented textures are the creation of the artist/designer.
They are made up for expressive or decorative
purposes and are not the representation of or
abstractions from actual textures.

14. Assignment
 Students should create rubbings of a variety of
everyday surfaces such as clothing, walls, trees. Use
several colours when making rubbings. This collection
of rubbings will be their texture references.
 Draw or trace the an animal shape on blank piece
of paper. Alternately, they can make larger line
drawings of animals. Consider domestic animal shapes
like cats, dogs, guinea pigs and rabbits, as well as wild
animals like tigers, cheetahs, giraffes and birds.

15.  Decide what colours to use for your animal of
choice..
 Using another blank sheet of paper, the students can
make a textured background setting for their animal.
 • Place the animals in their setting. Cut and paste
into position. Consider adding pieces of foam core to
the back of the animal before gluing in place. Cut
small half-inch or smaller pieces of foam core. Use a
glue stick to adhere the back of the cut out animal.
This will give the picture a 3D effect.